Drapery manufacturing device



April 22,1969 M. E. TUSKOS DRAPERY MANUFACTURING DEVIC Q wm; .k 4 N m um N M Nm: wmwuvwlmw u @WMM o@ Omw x -l .lm mm l m www S WQ m5 fom. v@ Nw -mm s? u@ .H A a nu NE QW. www Nvr., Gum NWN/l NN f\ www wb mmm oww vm 6 NE 6 9 l 7, J e n d l M bw; i s F @E I N VEN TOR MICHAEL E, TUsKos' ATTORNEY April 22, 1969 M. E. TUSKOS 3,439,438

DRAPERY MANUFACTURING DEVICE Filed June v, 1966 sheet Z of 4 INVENTOR. MICHAEL. E. TUSKOS ATTORNEY.

April 22,` 1969 M. E. TUsKOs DRAPERY MANUFACTURING DEVICE Sheet Filed June 7, 1966 NVENTGR. MICHAEL E. TUSIKOS l /l lill/111 l ATTORNEY April 22, 1969 'M E, TUSKOS 3,439,438

DRAPERY MANUFACTUR ING DEVI CE F11edJunev,196e Sheet 4 @f4 @0432 L/'WO (l l, I

w54 Le INVENT OR. MICHAEL. E. TUSKOS ATTORNEY, Y

United States Patent Office 3,439,438 Patented Apr. 22, 1969 3,439,438 DRAPERY MANUFACTURING DEVICE Michael E. Tuskos, Miami, Fla. (2507 Saratoga Drive, Louisville, Ky. 40205) Filed June 7, 1966, Ser. No. 555,763 Int. Cl. D06f 81/00 U.S. Cl. 38-104 17 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A drapery manufacturing device comprising a vertical frame with a track, a trolley with means to connect along one edge of a drapery panel so that the trolley may be raised to lift the drape and suspend it in a vertically hanging plane beneat-h the trolley, drive means to move a trolley with respect to a reference means beneath the trolley including a transversely extending catch shelf over which the drapery falls when raised so that when the proper height has been obtained, a crease may be placed across the lower end of the drape which is horizontal and which defines the bottom edge of the drape.

The present invention pertains to aligning a drapery hem mechanism and is more particularly directed to a mechanism used in the manufacturing of window draperies or the like, which enables the operator to quickly and accurately determine the desired length of a drapery and to establish and mark, as by a crease, a line or lines across the bottom of the drapery, adjacent the marginal edge thereof in exact conformity with the requirements as reflected by the measurements of any particular installation site.

The general procedure in manufacturing draperies is to attach side by side, as by sewing, a sutiicient number of vertical panels of material to provide the desired overall width of a main drapery section and to finish the top edge and the two vertical side edges as required. In an ordinary installation draperies are suspended or hung from rods which are horizontally disposed on walls; and a proper visual effect requires that the bottom hem line look tted to the room also. Consequently, in common practice, a considerable amount of time is required to lay a drapery flat on large tables, called tabling, and to make spaced measurements from the top edge of the drapery and to pin the hem in as the operator works from one side edge of the drapery to the other marginal side edge. Additional problems are involved with various types of material in this type of operation due to uneven pulling and stretching of loose woven fabrics or the like.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a drapery manufacturing device to obviate the tabling operation and which includes a vertical1yoperated motor-driven trolley mechanism, to which a drapery is accurately attached by suitable spring clamps and carried upwardly by the trolly a predetermined d`istance, to establish the desired drapery length with a drapery hanging free under its own weight in the same manner as it would hang if installed, that is, subject to steady stress and strain conditions regardless of the delicacy or stretch characteristic of the fabric.

Another principal object of the present invention is the provision of a series of adjustable L-shaped cross rails, positioned adjacent the bottom edge of the suspended drapery to provide means for accurately pressing a straight crease or creases, laterally across the bottom of the drapery, which are spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom raw edge thereof, to establish an accurate finish line for the bottom hem. The series of adjustable L-shaped cross rails preferably includes one rail used for draperies with double hems, one rail for draperies with a single hem and a third rail for cutting or trimming off excess material in double hemmed draperies. The series of L-shaped rails are preferably fixed together with the lower two rails being adjustable for various hem'widths and the entire three rail unit being centrally pivoted to provide means for tilting the rails to com pensate for structural inaccuracies, such as sloping floors or` window sills.

A further principal object of the present invention is the provision of a measuring means having one end fixed to the vertically-operated trolley and the other end xed to .aan upright frame member. The measuring device is `adapted to co-operate with the trolley, the series of adjustable L-shaped cross rails and a xed marker or pointer to give a direct reading on the measuring device of the distance between the top marginal edge of the drapery and the bottom hem line crease.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a drive means for the vertically-operated trolley, preferably in the form of a speed reducer motor with a forward, reverse and stop control and which is pivotally mounted on one end of a suitable frame member in such a manner as to allow the weight of the motor to provide the necessary driving friction on the belt drive to the vertical trolley drive pulley. In this manner, the operator can quickly disengage the drive to the vertical trolley by Alifting upwardly on an appropriate handle provided on the motor mount.

Another object of the present invention is to counterbalance the weight of the vertical trolley by means of an appropriate centrally-positioned counterweight to limit the actual load on the vertical trolley to the weight 0f the attached drapery. To prevent the trolly from descending under the weight of the drapery, a suitable locking means is provided :to lock the trolley drive shaft to a ver-tical frame window.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a folding ironing board assembly between the series of L- shaped rails and the bottom-most position of the vertical trolley, to permit the operator to fold and pin the hem if necessary along the established crease line or lines. Additional pressing of the folded hem may also be done, if desired, at this point before the drapery is lowered and removed from the vertical trolley. The entire operation is, therefore, accomplished with far greater accuracy and in a fraction of the time required by presently employed methods.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, 4advantages and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following description of the accompanying drawings, in which there is illustrated a preferred structure in accordance with the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

IFIG. 1 is a front elevation-al view of the drapery hem aligning device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the operating end of the mechanism las seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of lFIG. 2, illustrating in detail the motor drive means associated with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic elevation illustrating a drapery in place on the 4mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic elevation similar to FIG. 5, illustrating the drapery elevated 'a measured distance and a bottom lateral hem line crease being `applied thereto;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic elevation similar to FIG. 6 with the drapery having been further elevated la distance sufficient to permit the proper folding, pinning, etc. of the hem on the outwardly extended ironing board;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of a drapery as it would appear on the ironing board, with the bottom hem line crease having been applied thereto; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8 illus- -trating a typical double folded bottom hem on the drapery.

In the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or similar parts -throughout the various views illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the principal components of the invention are a vertically-operated trolley mechanism, designated generally at 10, an adjustable cross rail assembly 12, a vertical measuring device generally designated by the numeral 14, seen clearly in FIG. 2, a drop box 16 laterally spanning the bottom of the mechanism, a dr-ive mechanism 18, an ironing board assembly 20, shown clearly in FIG. 3, and a frame 22 consisting primarly of a pair of the spaced parallel, vertical channel members 24 and 26 seen in FIG. l. The frame or members 24 and 26 are spaced apart a distance suflicient to accommodate the widest drapery to be hung therebetween andare preferably fixed to a vertical wall surface, as illustrated, by means of a plurality of L brackets 28 having one arm of each fixed to a frame member 24 or 26 by bolts 30, and the other arm fixed to the wall by bolts 32. In general, the size, shape and means for attaching the frame members 24 and 26 to the walls depend on each individual installation, because of variations in wall construction materials as well as the presence of offsets in the wall to receive the mechanism.

A vertical trolley track for the trolley is provided on the confronting faces of the vertical upright frame members 24 and 26 as by the members 40 and 42 rigidly fixed, as by welding thereto so as to extend from a position adjacent the top ends of a frame member downwardly to points 44 and 46. The trolley 10 is generally rectangular in shape as seen in elevation in FIG. 1 and is comprised of at least one transverse member, and, `as shown in the drawings, spaced parallel top and bottom rails 48 and 50 and connecting parallel side rails 52 and 54, lying adjacent the vertical tracks 40 and 42, with each side rail having rigidly fixed there-to -a pair of roller brackets 58 and 60, carrying rollers 62 engaged in the vertical tracks 40 and 42 respectively. Appropriate vertical and diagonal bracing members 62 and 64 are preferably included, centrally of the rectangular vertical trolley 10, to provide rigidity thereto.

Referring to FIG. 3, the upper rail 48, seen in cross section, of the trolley 10 carries a plurality of forwardly or outwardly extending brackets 66 on the front face thereof, which are adapted to clamp to a head portion 70 of a horizontally-disposed I-rail 72, as at 68 extending across the entire width of the trolley 10, in spaced parallel relation therewith. A series of spring clamps 74 are carried by the I-rail 72, in trolley fashion, by the provision of a U-bracket 76 fixed to the top of each spring clamp Iand a pair of trolley rollers 78 carried by the upper ends of each arm of the U-bracket, extending inwardly therefrom to be respectively engaged in the opposed channels of the I-rail 72. Consequently, any desired number of spring clamps can be readily moved into position to firmly clamp any particular width of drapery to be suspended from the trolley as described hereinafter and the unused clamps moved aside. A drapery of any width within the limits of the distance between the frame members 24 and 2-6 can therefore be suspended from the spring clamps by depressing the handles 80 of each clamp in the conventional manner and inserting the drapery into the jaws of the clamp until the top marginal edge of the drapery touches the inner top wall of the clamp. By repeating this process with each clamp, starting adjccent one of the frame members such as 24 as viewed in FIG. 1, and working across the trolley, clamping the edge of the drapery from clamp to clamp, the entire top marginal edge of the drapery can be quickly and accurately attached to the trolley unit 10 to be moved upwardly to a predetermined height, as will be explained.

The drive means for the trolley 10 consists of an .appropriate speed reducer motor 90, mounted on a pivotal base 92, see FIG. 4, consisting of a pair of side rails 94 and 96 which are pivotally mounted as at 98 between a pair of top angle frame members 100, extending outwardly from a pair of vertical mounting members 102, rigidly fixed to the wall as by bolts 104. A pair of diagonal braces 106 extend from the lower end of the mounting members 102 to the outer ends of the mounting members 100. The motor base 92 extends diagonally upwardly from the pivot 98 and carries a handle 108 at its upper forward end to enable the operator to quickly disengage the drive from the motor to the trolley drive shaft 110. By raising upwardly on the handle 108, the frictional drive engagement between the belt 112, motor pulley 114 and trolley drive shaft pulley 116 may be broken rapidly with no overrun.

The trolley drive shaft which is horizontally disposed carries a pair of fixed sprockets 120 and 122, one adjacent each end thereof, to co-operate with a pair of sprockets 124 and 126 fixed to a driven shaft 127, horizontally spanning the side frame members 24 and 26 adjacent the upper end thereof. A pair of drive chains 132 and 134 are engaged about each co-operating pair of sprockets and as best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, one chain 132 has its lower end fixed to a bracket 136, which is in turn fixed to the underneath face of the bottom trolley rail 50 as by screws or rivets 138. The chain 132 extends downwardly around the drive shaft sprocket 120, upwardly over the driven shaft sprocket 124 and then downwardly to an attachment with a bracket 142 fixed to the upper face of the top trolley rail 48. It is seen on reference to FIG. 4 that an up, down and stop control 144 is provided for the drive motor at the forward end of the frame members 100.

A counterweight 146 is preferably included centrally of the trolley 10, which is fixed to a cable 148 extending up and over a pulley 150 carried by the top driven shaft 127, then extending downwardly and attached to the upper face of the top trolley frame rail 48 as at 152. Also, locking means is provided to prevent the vertical trolley from traveling downward when elevated, under the weight of a large drapery. A screw threaded pipe nipple extends outwardly from and is welded to the side vertical frame member 2-4, surrounding the outwardly extending portion 162 of the drive shaft 110. An internally threaded collar 164 provided with an operating handle 166 engages the nipple 160 and is adapted to be actuated to alternately lock or unlock the drive shaft pulley 116 to or from the vertical frame member 24.

The measuring device 14 includes a conventional housing and retractable steel measuring tape 170. It is employed to determine the distance of upward travel of the vertical trolley when the operating control 144 is moved to its up position. In this manner the upward travel of the vertical drapery carrying trolley 10 can be arrested at the proper time to establish the length for any given drapery by taking a direct reading from the extended measuring tape 170, which has its upper end fixed as at 172 to a bracket 174 which is in turn fixed by screws or rivets 176 to the vertical side frame member S2 of the vertical trolley 10, FIGURE 2. The steel tape housing is rigidly xed in any suitable manner to the side vertical frame member 24 at la point below the lowermost position of the vertical trolley 10 and with the assistance of an indicia pointer 178, the exact drapery length reading can be taken.

(lo-operating with the vertical trolley and measuring tape is a transverse reference means defining a horizontal plane with respect to which the trolley moves vertically. Preferably, the reference means is adjustable and includes a plurality of adjustable, horizontal L-shaped rails in an assembly preferably a series of three such rails 180, 182 and 184 disposed in spaced parallel relationship one above the other. The three rails are preferably welded to elongated backing plates 186, 188 and 190, which are carried by a series of vertical brackets 192, the upper rail backing plate being rigidly fixed to the upper ends of the brackets by bolts or welding and the lower pair of rails are adjustably fixed to the brackets 192 by means of appropriate bolts 194, which are adapted to be engaged through a series of holes 196 and 198 in each bracket 192, for the central and lower rails respectively. As will Ibe apparent from the following description, the two lower rails can therefore be adjusted for three different hem widths, for instance, 4-inch, 5-inch or 6-inch widths. The upper or fixed rail 180 determines `the bottom marginal edge of the finished hem and, consequently, the overall length of the finished drapery. The reading taken on the steel tape of the vertical measuring device 14 denotes this finished length, which extends from the top marginal edge of the drapery lying against the upper inner wall surface of the spring clamps, carried by the vertical trolley, to the upper surface of a catch shelf 200 extending outwardly across and beneath the plane of fall of a drapery suspended from the trolley and from a vertical or wall portion of the L-rail 180 defining a crotch line therebetween, and across which the lower portion of the drapery lies asit hangs. The center L-rail 182 is utilized in connection with single hem draperies while lthe lower L-rail 184 is utilized in connection with double hem draperies and the spacing between each of the rails 182 and 1'84 with respect to the finished rail 180 determinesthe hem widths.

As structural inaccuracies are often encountered, such as sloping oors, window sills or the like, especially when the area to be draped is rather extensive compensating means have been provided to always insure a pleasing visual appearance by having the finished hem line closely parallel the floor or sill line in spite of these inaccuracies. To accomplish this, the entire L-rail assembly 12 is pivotally connected centrally as at 210 to a frame member 212, FIGURE 1, to permit the assembly to be sloped in either direction. The outer ends of the rail assembly 12 can be locked in any desired position by means of a pair of bolts 214 and 216 passing through the two end brackets 192 and a pair of appropriate arcuate slots 218 in brackets 220 and 222 fixed respectively to the vertical frame members 24 and 26. An appropriate scale 224 and indicia pointer 226 are carried by the vertical frame member 24 and L-rail assembly 12 respectively, to enable the operator to adjust the rail assembly as required.

Because of the wide expanse, the ironing board assembly adjacent the upper rail of the L-rail assembly 12 is preferably composed of a pair of ironing boards 228 and 230 each of which is adjustable from a down or vertical plane position to an -up or horizontal plane position as best illustrated in FIGURE 3. Each board is hinged as at 232 to a horizontal cross frame member 234. A pair of wall brackets 236 fixed to the wall as by bolts 238 each include a diagonal brace member 240 and an outwardly extending horizontal arm 242, the outer end of which is fixed as by welding to a second horizontal cross frame member 244. Each arm 242 includes an appropriate slot 246 to be slidably traversed by an arm 248, pivotally attached at its outer upper end at 250 to an appropriate cross bar 252 fixed to the underneath side of the ironing board. A notch adjacent the inner lower end of the pivotal arm 248 co-operates with a detent bar 254, fixed to the horizontal bracket arm 242, adjacent the front edge of the slot 246, to provide means for maintaining the ironing board in its raised or horizontal position, By raising the ironing board slightly and pushing inwardly on the pivotal arm 248, the ironing board can be lowered to its vertical plane position.

If desired, an electric cord extension trolley means 260 can be provided for convenient usage of an electric iron,

electric scissors or the like, across the entire width of the mechanism. A pair of outwardly extending arms 262 and 264, from the vertical frame members 24 and 26, carry a cable 266 at their outer ends, spanning the width of the mechanism. A series of slidable rings 26S, engaged .about the cable and slidable thereon, are adapted to carry the extension cord 270, hanging loosely in folds therefrom, across the wire. Conventional male and female lugs 272 and 274 are fixed to the two endls of the extension cord respectively.

In operation, FIGURES 5 through 7, a drape-ry is attached to the top of the vertical trolley, as previously described, with the lower end extending into the drop box 16, FIGURE 5. The control is moved to the up position and the indicia pointer and steel tape measure noted until the pointer indicates the desired length. At this point the control is moved to the off position and if necessary any fine adjustment necessary to arrive at the exact length required may be made by turning the motor pulley by hand, The clamp 166 is then actuated to hold the vertical trolley 10 in its exact position. As illustrated in FIG- URE 6, for a double hem, an electric iron is utilized to apply a crease in the -material draped. across the crotch angle between the shelf and -wall of the upper L-shaped rail to establish an accurate line for the lower marginal edge of the finished hem. If desired, a second crease may be applied along the center rail 182 to establish the first fold line for a double hem. The excess material is then trimmed by means of an electric scissor or other conventional means along the bottom rail 184.

In the final operation, FIGURE 7, the vertical trolley is elevated sufficiently to permit the operator to extend the ironing boards into position to fold and pin the bottom hem in place. If desired, an electirc iron may be utilized to press lthe completely folded hem. As illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9, the lower marginal trimmed edge 300 of the drapery is folded back to the crease line 302 and the two folds are then folded together along the crease line 302 to complete a double hem. If an additional crease is applied along the center rail 182 as described, the position of this crease would -be as indicated by the numeral 304. In this instance the marginal trimmed edge 300 is folded back to the crease line 304 and the two folds are turned back together along the crease line 302 to complete a double hem.

If a single hem is being applied the excess material normally extends an inch or two below the center rail 182 and two crease lines are formed with an electric iron. The excess material is not trimmed in this circumstance but is turned back along the lowermost crease line, and

the second fold is performed along the top crease line to form a single hem.

While there has been illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and substitutions may be made therein -without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A drapery manufacturing device comprising;

a frame in upstanding relation and including a first and a second spaced, vertical, plane defining, parallel guide track;

a trolley to span the guide track transversely, said trolley being movably connected in the guide ytracks for vertical movement as a unit wi-th respect to the frame and including a transverse member;

means on said transverse member of the trolley to to grasp along an edge the panel to be formed into a drapery to hold the edge of the panel in a vertically extending plane on movement of the trolley with respect to said frame;

drive means to move the trolley vertically with respect to the frame;

a reference means comprising an assembly defining a horizontal reference plane arranged adjacent the lower end of the frame and including a catch shelf extending outwardly of said plane, and a wall extending vertically from the shelf and dening an -outwardly and upwardly opening crotch line angle between the shelf and wall so that a horizontal crease line is adapted to be defined by ironing across the shelf surface on the panel confined in the crotch, in combination with an ironing board and means to support the ironing board to smooth drapery panels.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said assembly comprises a plurality of catch shelves and associated walls defining a crotch angle line therebetween, said plurality being arranged in parallel spaced relation.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the catch shelf of said assembly is adapted to be rotatably tilted with respect to a horizontal and about a lateral axis perpendicular to said vertically extending plane.

'4. A device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the lateral axis is on the vertical center line of the frame.

5. A device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said assembly comprises three parallel shelves and walls.

6. A device as set forth in claim 4 wherein a pointer is included on one end of the assembly and a tilt indicia strip is provided on said frame to measure the angle of tilt of said assembly.

7. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means to support the drapery comprise a plurality of transversely movable hooks horizontally arranged on said trolley.

8. A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said hooks are spring biased to a normally closed position.

9. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises, (a) a motor, (b) an upper transverse driven member journalled at its ends adjacent the upper end of the frame in bridging relation of said frame, (c) a lower transverse driving member journalled in spanning relation of the frame and intermediate the height of said frame in parallel relation to said upper transverse member, (d) chain and sprocket means mutually interconnecting the transverse members and said trolley, and (e) a driving connection between said motor and said lower transverse member to drive said members to effect vertical movement of said trolley.

10. A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein releasable coupling means are provided intermediate said drive means and said driving connection.

11. A device as set forth in claim 10 wherein lock means are provided to keep the trolley in a predetermined position against forces of gravity acting on the trolley.

12. A device as set forth in claim 1 where-in a counterweight is provided, said counter-weight comprising pulley means suspended on the frame above said trolley and a flexible cord connected to the trolley at one end and having a weight attached to the other end.

13. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said `ironing board is provided to project out of the Vertical plane detined by said frame and said supporting means are provided to support said ironing board adjacent the lower end of said frame.

14. A device as set forth in claim 13 wherein said ironing board includes a first and a second planar section arranged in a horizontal, side-by-side relation.

y15. A device as set forth in claim .14 wherein an electrical extension cord is provided, said cord being adapted to movably support a depending extension cord to provide electrical current to a device operable in transverse strokes across the lower portion of the frame.

16. A device as set forth in claim 15 wherein means are provided to hingedly connect the sections of said ironing board effective 4to fold the sections into vertically aligned side-by-side relation in an out-of-the-Way position beneath the trolley.

17. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein a measuring device is provided, said measuring device including a measuring tape housing, and a tape with the proximal end secured in the housing and the distal end being adapted to extend from the housing, means mounting said housing on the frame, and means connecting the distal end of said tape to said trolley so that the distance of movement of the trolley with respect to the frame is reflected by the length of tape drawn from the housing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,699,010 1/1955 -Reed 38-102.5 2,954,907 10/1960 Bird 223-30 3,279,661 10/ 1966 Kirche 223-32 3,315,852 4/1967 Getchell et al. 223-32 'PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. C1. XJR. 

